Improvement in compounds for cleaning gas-retorts



UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

WILLIAM L. PITKIN AND CARLISLE J. GLEASON, OF MONTPELIER, VT.

IMPROVEMENTIN COMPOUNDS FOR CLEANING GAS-RETORTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140,590, dated July-8, 1873; application filed a June 19,1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM L. PrrKrN and CARLI$LE J. GLEASON, both of Montpelier, in the county of Washington, in the State of Vermont, have invented a certain composition for preventing the accumulation or for the removal of carbon from the inside of gas-retorts when such carbon has been allowed to accumulate therein, of which the following is a specification:

The invention consists in the combination of the ingredients and its application to retorts, as hereinafter described.

The following ingredients form the compound that is used to prevent or remove the calcined carbon, viz: Carbonate or bicarbonate of potash, eight ounces; turpentine, or

oil of or spirits of turpentine, one ounce;

chloride of sodium, three ounces.

The proportions of the ingredients may be variedthat is to say, more or less of either one of the ingredients named may be used without in any way departing from the spirit of our invention.

The ingredients being thoroughly mixed and incorporated together a quantity is thrown or put into the retort, the inside of which is more or less coated with calcined carbon and while in a heated state. The retort is then instantly sealed, as in use for producing gas, and kept so sealed or closed gas-tight from one-half hour to two or more hours, as may be necessary to accomplish the desired result in the judgment of the engineer in charge, as he will understand the practical effect of the compound upon the calcined carbon adhering to the retort.

The heat in the retort acting upon the compound forms a gas that acts with great rapidity and effect upon the calcined carbon, and causes it to separate from the retort without injury to the inside walls or body of the retort.

If the retort is coated heavily with the calcined carbon it will require a greater quantity of the compound to be applied, perhaps a repetition of the application of the compound, and a longer time to separate the incrustations from the retort than if but slightly coated.

By putting a small quantity of this compound into a retort that is not incrusted with calcined carbon, and frequently or occasionally repeating the same, the retort will be kept perfectly clear from such incrustations,

- described.

as none can adhere, and the retort will be made to last two .or three times as long as is usual, and thus save much of the expense incurred at present in replacing burned out or worthless retorts, made so by the accumulation of the calcined carbon within them.

The amount of the compound to be used will be varied according to the size of the retort and amount of incrustation-within itfrom one ounce to several pounds, as the case may demand.

By the use of this compound the inside of the retort will become in time glazed smoothly over, preventing any cracks, and the re tort will last as'long as the furnace by which it is heated.

The compound can also be applied to any crucible, furnace, fire-pot, or vessel in which calcined carbon adheres, and successfully remove such adhesions from such crucible or other thing in which it accumulates by the action of heat.

We do not confine ourselves to the precise quantity of each ingredient in the compound; nor do we confine ourselves to the use of such compound as a whole, as the different parts may be used separately and in succession when desired, or any two or more may be used at one time, to be followed by the others, as found necessary.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is-

1. The compound, composed of the ingredients in quantity and proportions substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of carbonate or bicarbonate of potash and soda, or any of its carbonates, with chloride of sodium and oil of turpentine, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. The combination of any of the carbonates of potash with any of the carbonates of soda, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. The combination or use of any of the carbonates of potash, and any 'of the carbonates of soda, with or without chloride of sodium, substantially as and for the purpose WILLIAM L PITKIN. CARLISLE J. GLEASON.

Witnesses HENRY K. FIELD, HORACE W. KEMPTON. 

